Jane of Austin ~ Review #JaneAustenJuly

Title: Jane of Austin: A Novel of Sweet Tea and Sensibility
Series: N/A
Author: Hillary Manton Lodge
Expected Release Date: June 1, 2017
Genres: Contemporary Romance/ Retelling
Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Pages: 312

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Blurb:

“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience – or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.”―Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

Just a few years after their father’s business scandal shatters their lives, Jane and Celia Woodward find themselves forced out of their San Francisco tea shop. The last thing Jane wants is to leave their beloved shop on Valencia Street, but when Celia insists on a move to Austin, Texas, the sisters pack up their kid sister Margot and Jane’s tea plants, determined to start over yet again.

But life in Austin isn’t all sweet tea and breakfast tacos. Their unusual living situation is challenging and unspoken words begin to fester between Jane and Celia. When Jane meets and falls for up-and-coming musician Sean Willis, the chasm grows deeper.

While Sean seems to charm everyone in his path, one person is immune – retired Marine Captain Callum Beckett. Callum never meant to leave the military, but the twin losses of his father and his left leg have returned him to the place he least expected—Texas.

In this modern spin on the Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, the Woodward sisters must contend with new ingredients in unfamiliar kitchens, a dash of heartbreak, and the fragile hope that maybe home isn’t so far away.

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*****My Review*****

Jane of Austin is a book I’ve had on my TBR since last year after one of my besties recommended it to me. I intentionally held onto it until #JaneAustinJuly, though.

I’ve read Sense and Sensibility a couple times now, but I have to admit that it is probably my least favorite of Austen’s novels. So, I was excited to hear that this retelling was good. Now, my friend recommended it not for its comparison to Sense and Sensibility (it’s a rather loose retelling) but rather just because she enjoyed the read. And, I did, too!

This contemporary story sucked me in from the start with it’s sisterhood theme and held me all the way through to the end and the sweet romances. If you’re into sweet romances and enjoy a focus on sisterhood, then this book is probably for you. There is zero steaminess. Oh, and there’s some lovely recipes thrown in between the chapters since the girls run a tea shop/bakery! The story definitely appealed to my taste buds!

Both of the older sisters, Jane and Celia, have romances happening in the story. Jane’s romance is a bigger part of the story than Celia’s but it’s not the sole focus. Jane gets things wrong for a good chunk of the book. But, it’s so pleasing to watch things finally come together when she sees how much retired Captain Callum Beckett has a thing for her and just how far he goes to prove it. Oh, and did I mention he’s an amputee?!?! Into wounded heroes that need some love but are still total sweethearts? Callum is your guy!

I recommend this to all of you that enjoy stories focused on sibling relationships with a good side of romance (and tea and sweet treats)!

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*Review Note: Please check out trigger warnings elsewhere if you have triggers. I tend to overlook adding them in my reviews.*

Have you read Jane of Austin? Are you planning to? Are you participating in #JaneAustenJuly?

Happy Reading,

Alison